Have you been experiencing unexplained bed and head shaking vibrations (perhaps like echos of your heartbeat) at night for years which are undiagnosed by a whole team of doctors doing physicals, blood tests, MRIs, CT scans, sonograms and nerve conduction studies and more? Do you have an irrationally strong anger at neighbor’s subsonic boom box noise pollution? Do you sometimes catch instances of high blood pressure, but usually not? It’s a long shot but perhaps it could something like rattling pipes generating a low noise, below what humans can hear, which is leading to these strange effects. It’s an interesting idea to explore.
Sound waves at frequencies below 20 Hz are referred to as infra-sound. While their exact effects on humans are still being studied, there are several physiological and psychological effects that have been observed and reported:
1. Physiological effects:
– Vibration and discomfort: Infrasound can cause physical vibrations in the body, which may lead to discomfort and feelings of unease.
– Nausea and dizziness: Prolonged exposure to infrasound has been associated with symptoms such as nausea and dizziness.
– Elevated blood pressure: Some studies suggest that exposure to infrasound may lead to an increase in blood pressure, potentially impacting cardiovascular health.
2. Psychological effects:
– Fear and anxiety: Infrasound has been linked to feelings of fear and anxiety in some individuals. It has been proposed that this may be due to the subconscious perception of low-frequency vibrations as a threat.
– Hallucinations: There have been reports of infrasound causing hallucinatory experiences, including visual distortions and sensations of presence.
– Disruption of sleep: Infrasound has been found to interfere with sleep patterns, causing disturbances and reducing the quality of sleep.
However, it is important to note that the effects of infrasound can vary greatly from person to person, and not everyone will experience these effects. Additionally, the strength and duration of exposure also play a significant role in determining the impact on individuals.
Detecting Infrasound
How can I detect Infrasound?
There are several ways to detect infrasound, which refers to sound below the frequency range audible to the human ear (typically below 20 Hz). Here are a few methods of detection:
1. Infrasound Microphones: Specialized microphones designed to capture low-frequency sounds, including infrasound, can be used. These microphones are typically sensitive to frequencies as low as 0.1 Hz.
2. Seismic Sensors: Infrasound can also be detected using seismic sensors, which are designed to pick up vibrations in the ground. Infrasound produces pressure waves that can be coupled with the ground, leading to detectable vibrations.
3. Barometric Pressure Sensors: Infrasound can cause fluctuations in air pressure. Barometric pressure sensors or barographs can be used to detect these pressure changes. Changes in air pressure caused by infrasound can be measured as fluctuations in barometric pressure readings.
4. Acoustic Arrays: An array of multiple microphones or sensors placed strategically can help detect infrasound and determine the direction from which it originates. By comparing the data from the different sensors, it becomes possible to triangulate the source of infrasound.
5. Tiltmeters: Infrasound can induce very small ground movements or tilting. Tiltmeters are devices that can detect and measure these extremely subtle changes in the tilt of the Earth’s surface, thus providing an indirect means of infrasound detection.
Specialized scientific instruments are typically used for accurate detection and measurement of infrasound. In some cases, such as studying natural phenomena, organizations like the International Monitoring System (IMS) utilize a global network of infrasound sensors and stations to monitor low-frequency sound worldwide for various purposes, including detecting nuclear explosions, monitoring volcanic eruptions, and tracking space debris, among others.